Sunday, September 20th, 2009 Sermon Notes

One of our laity, Mr. Tim Lancaster, presented the following message while Pastor Jenness attended the Camp Chestnut Ridge retreat with approximately 40 of our members:

Search Me, O God, and Know My Thoughts...

The reading of the Word of God. “This is the Word of God, for the people of God.” Thanks be unto God.

Psalm 139 - 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (King James Version)


Proverbs 8:17 - I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. (New King James Version)


Hebrews 11 - 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (King James Version)

2 Peter 1 - 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. (King James Version)

“The Word of God for the people of God, thanks be unto God”

Let’s take a few moments to consider, the word “relationship.” A relationship is a connection, association or involvement with someone. In our lives we have many different types of relationships. In looking in God’s Word we see how the seekers of God had a personal relationships with God.

Let’s think about the relationship with God, Adam and Eve. God talked with them on a personal level. We notice Seth’s relationship with God, according to Genesis 4:26, “men began to call on the name of God.” If we keep searching, we see a path of generations from Seth that takes us to Enoch, remember Enoch, “walked with God”, again reminding us of a relationship. We can see how the generations of man kept a relationship with God, we will move on to Lamech, who was Noah’s father. We all well remember the story of Noah that’s a story we’ve all heard since we can remember anything.

When we take a look at Noah, and see how God talked with him, we start getting a woven thread on how God uses for His purpose the people that have a relationship with Him. In following the thread from Noah, to Shem, then we see where Abram comes in our picture.

The beauty of these relationships with God and man are very touching. As we move on from Abram(Abraham), we move to Isaac, Jacob, the 12 sons of Jacob (Israel), Joseph, Moses, David, and we can keep following that thread on to the New Testament.

In the New Testament, we can see how our Blessed Virgin Mary had a relationship with God, and it is evident that her family did, too. We read that in her visitation to her family member Elizabeth, and the we see in story of Elizabeth and her husband. We see the direct relationship with Jesus and his disciples. We can reflect on Jesus’s words, when he spoke of who was His real family, “the ones that do the will of my Father, is my real Mother and Brother.” We see Jesus’s relationship with the Father in the Garden, “not my will by Thy will be done.”

Looking through the New Testament, we see St. Paul’s relationship God, and how he talked with Him, and was led by Him. We read in Romans 8:14, “those that are led by the Spirit of God are the Children of God.”.

Additional Reading of the Word of God; let’s ponder this reading before closing:

Matthew 7 - 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (King James Version)

In taking a look at our message today, let’s reflect back on the word, “relationship”, and then ponder on Matthew 7:23. Yes, God knew all things, and all people from the beginning of time, according to David in Psalm 139.

Jeremiah tells us about God knowing us in our mother’s womb. Jesus reminded us that his real Mother and Brothers were “those that do the will of God”. St. Paul tells us in Romans who are the Children of God, we can go back to David’s words in Psalm 139:23, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Let’s focus our life today, and from this day forward, to asking God to “search us Lord, know us, and see if there be any wicked way in [us], and to lead [us] in the way of an everlasting relationship with you Lord.”